Review: Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero

BY SABRINA VICTOR

In “Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero”, Political Analyst Chris Matthews portrays a different view of John Fitzgerald “Jack” Kennedy, our 35^th president. Nearly half a century after JFK’s assassination, he creates a well-written account of his hero’s personal and political history.

The book first discusses JFK’s childhood and then goes into his grassroots campaigns for senate and then presidency. This biography describes JFK as a young, vibrant leader at the start of a new decade who inspired a nation to look to the stars for a sense of mission, accomplishment and pride. Chris Matthews also explains John F. Kennedy’s struggles to successfully tackle Civil Rights issues, the Cuba and the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Native American relations, Immigration, and etc.

The highlight of the book is when Matthews recalls in his story a special moment to justify his “hero worship”: In July of 1969, a fellow Peace Corp volunteer in Africa chose to look to the sky with the local villagers. There he saw his country’s first flight to the moon. In telling this story, Matthews recalls a day of feeling national pride as a Peace Corp volunteer and being a part of the first nation to land on the moon. By doing this he proves why JFK was his childhood hero and connects Kennedy’s creation of both the Peace Corp for the world and Space flight for America.

This biography written by Chris Matthews is an enjoyable read and proves, once again, just why John F. “Jack” Kennedy is one of the most well liked presidents of all time. This biography exceeded expectations and did a commendable job in giving a detailed account on John F. Kennedy’s life and accomplishments. It gave a different perspective of JFK as Chris Matthew’s childhood hero and made me appreciate his legacy even more.